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Trump Walks Back Comments on Abortion

By Virginia Villa

On Wednesday, presidential candidate Donald Trump made comments insinuating that women who get illegal abortions should be punished. Hours later, the Trump campaign released a statement in attempt to walk back the comments made by Trump in an interview with MSNBC. In the interview, Trump stated that women who obtain abortions in states that ban the procedure should be punished. When asked to elaborate on what he meant by “punishment,” Trump did not elaborate.

This newest development in the Trump campaign comes only days after public officials began calling for the firing of Trump’s campaign manager, Corey, Lewandowski, who is being charged with battery after an altercation with a female reporter at campaign event. Trump’s campaign released a statement a few hours following the interview stating that doctors and medical professionals who perform abortions under illegal circumstances or in states where abortions are banned should be held legally responsible, not the women who receive the abortions. Trump’s team went on to say that women who receive abortions are victims, and that Donald Trump is pro-life, with exceptions.

Donald Trump’s comments about abortion and the continued defense of his campaign manager should serve as major red flags to any American women who are still considering giving their vote to Trump. Insinuating that women should be punished for receiving abortions displays Trump’s clear lack of respect for women’s rights, women’s health, and women in general. Not only that, Trump has come to his campaign manager’s defense by threatening to press charges against Michelle Fields, the reporter who is accusing Lewandowski of battery. Numerous interviews and statements about the incident reveal Trump’s blatant support of Lewandowski’s inappropriate use of physical force.

Donald Trump is not a man who supports or respects women, but what is more troubling is that he does not seem to care if he offends women or loses their support as voters. The United States of America is one of the only countries in the world where women can receive even half of the same opportunities and benefits that are afforded to men, and even still, there is a struggle for gender equality in the nation. Donald Trump’s recent actions and statements awaken outdated and sexist views that the American people need to abandon once and for all. The Trump campaign’s attempt to walk back the comments Trump made is a feeble attempt at best to mask the candidate’s sexism and his penchant for undermining gender equality.